Westministenders: Wake up and smell the coffee, shit just hit the fan.

[RedToothBrush]

Since the last update 12 days ago:

1. We have had the proposal to give barista visas. If we are giving out visas for this, what aren't we going to give visas for. Its just the announcement of a lot of red tape.
2. EU Banking and the Medicines agency are moving so they can serve the EU. In the EU. As serving them outside the EU is just weird. This is apparently a punishment for leaving the EU.
3. The number of students applying to become nurses has plummeted due to the removal of bursaries. This is as EU nurses leave.
4. The Brexit department published a couple of graphs promoting staying in the EU.
5. Theresa May said we were unified behind the idea of Brexit in her Easter message
6. The environment is being sacrificed for trade.
7. Turkey apparently has voted to become a dictatorship. This was a vote that Erdogan won by a whisper. His executive will not need scrutiny from parliament. Rather the UK referendum which at 0.6% more than the Turkish one is decisive. Donald Trump has congratulated him for it.
8. Trump has been dick swinging about nukes over North Korea. China are telling the children to behave.

And now we have a General Election.
Well if she can get 434 votes in the HoC tomorrow. That's ANOTHER broken promise. I'm sure its nothing but a formality.

What will Labour do? Support it? To get rid of Corbyn? Corbyn has backed the election. Given Corbyn is in charge, I'm not sure I'd have confidence to say that Labour will all vote for it, even with a three line whip. One Labour MP has already said he will not stand for reelection. (Tom Blenkinsop‏) I suspect there will be more.

Tim Farron has given support to the GE though, so it seems likely it will pass as that's a few of the votes that would be needed to block a GE.

(Note here abstentions do not count to the 434 votes needed.)

Trouble is what would happen if they didn't? Would the government collapse anyway? Might take May's head with it, but...

I guess the good news is that Corbyn will be gone by the end of June.

Otherwise the news is shit I fear. We will vote to give power to the executive with no parliamentary scrutiny. This is about getting rid of any opposition even from within her own party.

How will the campaigning go? Here's a clue:

Tim Montgomerie @montie
Tories want the exln to be about Corbyn and May; LibDems want it to be about Brexit; Labour want it to be about ?

then there is this:
fleetstreetfox‏*@fleetstreetfox*
I wonder what'll happen to the SNP. Polls not too chuffed about 2nd indy ref, Labour screwed... could parts of Scotland go blue again?

there will be lots of this about:
Dan Rebellato‏*@DanRebellato*
^Right. If we don’t want a huge Tory majority, we must all hold our nose and vote tactically. This MUST happen. How to organise that?

and the strategy is this:
Laura Kuenssberg‏*@bbclaurak*
Clear from May and hearing IDS that tories will go after idea of Labour Lib Dem coalition as risky

Council officials are now seeking legal advice over the Gorton By-Election that is scheduled for next month.

One more thing: Does this bury the election expenses row that is brewing and involves May's close adviser Nick Timothy?

Oh and the bottom line?
Alberto Nardelli‏ @AlbertoNardelli
Difference size of Tory majority will make to EU27 negotiating position: 0

Sigh.

Well, that would make sense greysky

Squoosh I think every non Tory voter needs to see that.

I'm not one usually for tactical voting but the Tory's will be laughing all the way to a huge mandate if it's not done.

Mind if I pinch and share shamelessly?

'Perhaps if so many people hadn't spent the last year attacking people they actually have a lot in common with, we wouldn't be where we are now.'

If people had been good little children and accepted Brexit?

I'm not going to be as polite as squoosh...

If we had all just bent over and taken it up the arse, eh? No no complaints?

Well

Fuck that.

Absolutely, Badders. I just would have loved to see a Lib Dem victory there a few weeks before the GE, so still slightly disappointed.

Please do Dodger, I pinched it from Twitter myself

squoosh and Badders

It's interesting that you don't seem to think you can disagree or protest without attacking people

Then explain yourself more clearly. And stop with the peevish whining.

I've joined lib dems a while back however if the labour candidate here looks more likely to damage my twat of an mp I'll tactically vote. Having said that the disaffected round here are all beginning to clamour for the lib dems so maybe I'll help pull labour support to us instead

Stop with the PA bullshit and make your points clearly and succinctly then wrong

Then perhaps you would get a considered response

Sorry squoosh I stand corrected. Everything you say is correct and I was wrong. You must be right because you are insulting me and I have come to realise that people who resort to insults are always right.

Yep. Peevish.

I see the source of the gorton by election being off is DD. Because you can't be elected to a dissolved government. It makes sense but as it's DD I'm guessing he hasn't looked into it properly

I thought your point was perfectly clear WrongTrouser, and I agree.

sqoosh good rule.

It looks like the Gorton by-election is still on (according to Lib Dem campaign sources anyway).

Still remarkably silent on the Zyklon B stuff. I'm guessing that one stands for anyone concerned on immigration then. Yet someone says it would be unkind to think of a hate-mongerers death and that's awful.

Maybe practice what you preach a little?

I joined the LD around 6 months ago. I will help them in any way I can, my constituency is strong labour with a great MP so I'll continue voting for her. Tactical voting is the only way to stop a Tory landslide

Channel 4 is saying that Downing Street has ruled out TV debates.

So for 7 weeks TM will be constantly accused of being frit.

Excellent.

I just spotted that Patty. Does seem a bit cowardly. For better or worse people now expect the spectacle of the TV debate.

Beats giving UKIP another 7 week platform though Patty. - and frit of debating with JC seems even to me a trifle implausible

I well, I've given up. I've voted all my life but now really can't be arsed with it anymore. I've given my vote to my DD. She's 17 and was gutted that she couldn't vote remain. She wants me to vote Lib Dem. So Lib Dem it is. Is that bad parenting????

George Eaton‏*@georgeeaton*
Lib Dems have gained 2,500 members since Theresa May's election announcement.

Ned Simons‏ @nedsimons
David Lidington says it's 'premature to speculate' about TV debates.

Marie Le Conte‏*@youngvulgarian*
Erm, just spoke to Downing Street who said that May would definitely not take part in TV debates, so.

I think that seems like a good collaboration between you and your daughter flatcoatfan! You're encouraging her interest in politics and ensuring you don't waste your own vote even though you're currently disillusioned!

That's a really good idea flatcan!
I shall canvass ds1!
😀